Second Chance Firsts: Padda-Dam

This little house started it's existance as a storage dam for a windmill on a farm about 30 kilometres outside Graaf Reinette. The name of the house "padda-dam" translates to "frog-dam". The owners converted the dam to a selfcatering guesthouse in typical Karoo style after it was no longer used as a storage dam.

The trip was done on motorcycle, a first for Elske. With very limited luggage space, we had to plan carefully and leave all the luxuries at home (read hairdryer😃)

With indicators like these, we could immediatly see that we came to the right place for adventure !

Because of the heat, we explored the Waterfall first. We ended up spending several hours here, cleaning the area of flood debris. We work/played like children in the waterstream - special moment.

Fun-smiles all around !

I took some dry ingredients to bake bread in my Titanium pot (1.25 litres). Quickly saw the need for a small tripod and with my leatherman and some scrap wire I found laying around, constructed a mini tripod for the pot.

Also made a little tool to turn the pot without touching it with hands.

The bread came out really well ! 🤩🤩

Just add olive oil and balsamic vinegar 🥳

The next morning's breakfast was leftover "braaivleis" and some avo on the last remaining bread slices. This little bread was repeated for each of the remaining nights.

Taking up very little space on the bike, but with some amazing special effects, fairy lights to add to the Karoo night sky.

Add some good (and loud) music with a bluetooth speaker and spontanious dancing came naturally around the campfire. 🥳

One of the "special" features of Padda-dam, is a big old enamel bathtub, nicely postioned between the thorn shrubs.

The bathtub is getting a little too much sun, so we gathered 3 long tree branches and constructed a tripod over it

Adding 2 Kikois and you have a lovely shaded bathtub that can be enjoyed in the heat of day !

Double tragedy striked when I manage to break both my Croc flipflops in one move, trying to save myself from slipping and falling flat on my face 🙈🙈. No fear when paracord is near 😄

What is the one thing to pack for the best coffee when out in nature? Can you quess ?

Spesial mention should also be made of a new drink that was created on this trip:

Red wine mixed with Blue berry Drink-o-Pop

😄😄😄

So the big one was kept for the last full day: the hike up to God's Balcony. We came a little unprepared for a hike like this, so a few plans had to be made. (constructed)

Steep up- and downhill in very rocky terrain called for hiking poles. Two suitable bamboo poles were cut from a bush growing in the main-house garden (with permission of the owner).

The second challenge was to carry enough water with us on the hike, as we brought only one water bottle with us. An empty wine bottle was cleaned to serve as the second water bottle.

The final challenge was a way to carry the water bottles along with some food and snacks for the hike. An empty plastic bag that contained firewood and a strap used on the motorbike to secure luggage, was repurposed for a hiking bag.

Because of the heat and elevation, the hike was tough, but we were able to finally reach God's Balcony. The views are simply magnificent and definately worth the hike!